The Savory Starbucks Pastry That's Only Available In 2 Countries

We spend what might be an unhealthy amount of time thinking about food exclusives beyond U.S. soil, like the Costco food court bake you can only find in Japan. Almost no chain we cover, however, offers as many tantalizing non-American delicacies as Starbucks. Exploring the best international Starbucks menu items made us wonder if the proverbial grass is actually greener, because there's nothing quite like them on the States' bill of fare.

Take, for example, the Laugentwister, also known as the Laugentwister Frischkäse. We've seen this delightful specimen on German Starbucks menus, as well as those in Austria. While German Starbucks has a bevy of fascinatingly unfamiliar items, like a sourdough avocado sandwich and a smoked salmon bagel, the Laugentwister intrigues because of its innate similarity to another beloved cross-cultural snack: the cheese pretzel. The name of the treat translated to English is even "lye twister," which puts us in mind of the caustic liquid in which German pretzels are dipped. It's full of cream cheese wrapped in puff pastry, which then has even more shredded cheese baked onto the crust.

As a Foodie feature writer pointed out, many Starbucks handcrafted drinks are sugar bombs, which is exactly why we love them! This does mean, however, that some of the Siren's sweet treats, like chocolate chip cookies or cake pops, are just too much of a good thing when we order a beverage. A savory treat like the Laugentwister would make a great contrast, we think, earning it a rightful spot not just on American menus, but those 'round the world.

The American Starbucks menu truly doesn't have a savory analog of the Laugentwister for those who want to indulge in something munchy without turning to a full entrée. In terms of "treats" on the list, you have sugary staples like cookies and brownies. Even the pre-packaged options are long on sweet profiles, like madeleines, KIND bars, and biscotti. 

An international flight is a big chunk of change, so, for now, we will probably have to settle for daydreaming about pretzel-esque cheese twists at Starbucks. If you are fortunate enough to be living in or visiting Austria or Germany and you happen to get a hankering for some coffee, think about us and grab a Laugentwister. Enjoy that perfect mix of sweet beverage with savory snack and smile privately, secure in the knowledge that you are in an elite club that enjoys a real 'Bucks banger.